Aqua Formula - settings new levels of R2R sonics and price performance

asiufy · Feb 23, 2017

Since both units are brand new, I was told to give it a week of non-stop playing before doing any critical listening... And that's what I'm doing

spiritofmusic · Feb 23, 2017

We can wait

microstrip · Feb 23, 2017

Mike Lavigne said:
however; looking close you will find the majority of the dsd versions of current classical recordings are dxd sourced. and the dxd is the superior sounding file.

dxd is what is the ultimate format to my ears.....assuming you have a dac that can take full advantage.

I fully agree with you, I have noticed the DXD origin, and even a few that do not say it were edited in DXD. Unfortunately DXD versions are much harder to get. But the DXDs I own sound great on the Vivaldi.

A good point for DSD is that we can get excellent SACDs at around 5 euros at clearance sales.

microstrip · Feb 23, 2017

spiritofmusic said:
We can wait

Audiophiles can't wait - it is written in their code book!

spiritofmusic · Feb 23, 2017

If you've just spent a small fortune on your dream listening room, and are plum out of cash for any meaningful upgrade, that code book is thrown out of the window
Maybe I should have said <"I" can wait>

Audiocrack · Feb 23, 2017

microstrip said:
I fully agree with you, I have noticed the DXD origin, and even a few that do not say it were edited in DXD. Unfortunately DXD versions are much harder to get. But the DXDs I own sound great on the Vivaldi.

A good point for DSD is that we can get excellent SACDs at around 5 euros at clearance sales.

As mentioned earlier you can find many fantastic sounding (original) dxd recordings on the spiritofturtle and 2l websites. Did any of you listen to one of these dxd albums?

tsaett · Feb 23, 2017

Incidentally I visited Spirit of Turtle a few weeks ago and was able to listen to Berts recordings in DXD in his incredible room with his custom 5.1 Avalon/Spectral system and it was magical.
I can attest that he does all his mastering in DXD.
When I got home, I listened to his DCS sampler (in DSD) in stereo which of course was a big letdown after that experience.

So thumbs up for DXD and spirit of turtle in particular

Audiocrack · Feb 23, 2017

tsaett said:
Incidentally I visited Spirit of Turtle a few weeks ago and was able to listen to Berts recordings in DXD in his incredible room with his custom 5.1 Avalon/Spectral system and it was magical.
I can attest that he does all his mastering in DXD.
When I got home, I listened to his DCS sampler (in DSD) in stereo which of course was a big letdown after that experience.

So thumbs up for DXD and spirit of turtle in particular

Some of Bert's older recordings are (indeed) not available in dxd. Apparently we both like his dxd recordings. Imho Bert's dxd recordings belong to the very best out there. Those who are interested I refer to the spiritofturtle thread I started on WBF. I am really looking forward to his next dxd recording of Prokofiev symphonies.

wisnon · Feb 24, 2017

microstrip said:
I fully agree with you, I have noticed the DXD origin, and even a few that do not say it were edited in DXD. Unfortunately DXD versions are much harder to get. But the DXDs I own sound great on the Vivaldi.

A good point for DSD is that we can get excellent SACDs at around 5 euros at clearance sales.

And vinyl rips to DSD128 and analog tape transfers too.

marslo · Feb 24, 2017

microstrip said:
I fully agree with you, I have noticed the DXD origin, and even a few that do not say it were edited in DXD. Unfortunately DXD versions are much harder to get. But the DXDs I own sound great on the Vivaldi.

A good point for DSD is that we can get excellent SACDs at around 5 euros at clearance sales.

+1
I am buying now a lot of classical sacd's for 15-20 euro and ripp them with my Pioneer BDP 160 , mainly Living Stereo DSD from master tapes and some SHM from cdjapan ( those are expensive however).
This way I eat cake and have cake

For downloads DXD is the less convenient but sonically the best IMHO.

marslo · Feb 24, 2017

wisnon said:
And vinyl rips to DSD128 and analog tape transfers too.

How do you ripp your vinyls Norman ?

Audiophile Bill · Feb 24, 2017

marslo said:
How do you ripp your vinyls Norman ?

I am using a Teac da3000 into double dsd fwiw.

marslo · Feb 24, 2017

Audiophile Bill said:
I am using a Teac da3000 into double dsd fwiw.

Thank you, thought about Tascam 3000 but untill now just play vinyls with TT

microstrip · Feb 24, 2017

Audiocrack said:
As mentioned earlier you can find many fantastic sounding (original) dxd recordings on the spiritofturtle and 2l websites. Did any of you listen to one of these dxd albums?

Yes, the few I have come from these sites. This weekend I am going to download the Piano Concertos KV. 413, KV. 414 & KV. 415, La Petite Bande. I have listened to them life in the past and it is a good opportunity to re-evoke this marvelous small orchestra sound.

Audiocrack · Feb 24, 2017

microstrip said:
Yes, the few I have come from these sites. This weekend I am going to download the Piano Concertos KV. 413, KV. 414 & KV. 415, La Petite Bande. I have listened to them life in the past and it is a good opportunity to re-evoke this marvelous small orchestra sound.

Have not yet heard this recent Mozart recording from Bert. It got a rave review on hraudio.net as regards performance as well as sonics. Curious to hear your feedback.

wisnon · Feb 24, 2017

marslo said:
How do you ripp your vinyls Norman ?

A pal of mine in CH does it for me... He is a computer whiz and audiophile.

CKKeung · Feb 27, 2017

marslo said:
+1
I am buying now a lot of classical sacd's for 15-20 euro and ripp them with my Pioneer BDP 160 , mainly Living Stereo DSD from master tapes and some SHM from cdjapan ( those are expensive however).
This way I eat cake and have cake
For downloads DXD is the less convenient but sonically the best IMHO.

Hi Marslo,
Believe it or not, if you demagnetize and do De-static treatment to the CD or sacd before ripping, the ripped music files obtained have better sonic performance.

Most audiophiles in HK do these pre-treatment before ripping, and the most popular demagnetizer and de-static machine used are from Furutech.

CK

marslo · Feb 27, 2017

CKKeung said:
Hi Marslo,
Believe it or not, if you demagnetize and do De-static treatment to the CD or sacd before ripping, the ripped music files obtained have better sonic performance.

Most audiophiles in HK do these pre-treatment before ripping, and the most popular demagnetizer and de-static machine used are from Furutech.

CK

Hi CKKeung,

Thank you very much for your advice.
Since I started to ripp my cd's and more recently - sacd' s- I always demagnetize them first with Acoustic Revive device.
Have also a big one for vinyls

(details about all the AR tweaks I use in" about me" ).
Fully agree with you.
Cheers
Mariusz

asiufy · Feb 28, 2017

OK, here's a first impression, after quite a few hours of burn-in and experimentation with assorted filters...

This thing is *good*, seriously good! It has a tonal weight that is really impressive, and adds to the "believability" that a R2R design usually has.

So far, my favourite filter setting is not what Ed recommended, so I kinda feel weird about it

I'm using closed-form-fast, NS5.

Next, I'll try it with other servers/streamers, mostly to gauge the extent of SGM's contribution to the overall result...

wisnon · Feb 28, 2017

The O brand CD Magic spray makes a noticeable difference for me.

Aqua Formula - settings new levels of R2R sonics and price performance

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